Government cites improvements in diabetes care

19/08/2008

Diabetes care is improving and focussing more on prevention, according to a new government report.

The Department of Health report claims that the NHS is making particular progress in identifying people with undiagnosed diabetes, as well as identifying those who are at risk of diabetes and need to alter their lifestyle.

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An average of 2,000 people have been diagnosed with diabetes every week over the last five years and a larger number of people are now being routinely monitored by their GP to reduce the risk of complications.

Health minister Ann Keen said that the NHS is getting 'better and better at identifying people with diabetes and at supporting them to manage their condition'.

She said that prevention is particularly relevant in diabetes and that the 'Putting Prevention First' programme should prevent thousands of people from developing diabetes each year.

Dr Rowan Hillson, national clinical director for diabetes, added that the NHS has responded 'impressively' to the National Service Framework and that a growing number of people are now getting good routine care.

Risk factors for type-2 diabetes include being overweight or having a large waist, having a family history of diabetes, and being aged over 40 - or over 25 for people of Black or south Asian origin.

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